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Dr. Gupta recommends surgery

Dear fellow curves,

Met with Dr. Pernendu Gupta at University of Chicago Hospitals yesterday. Didn't even have to ask. He recommends surgery and a very extensive one at that. Fusion from about T-5 to the pelvis with iliac screws. Yikes!!!

Dr. Gupta

Hi Chris,

I am TERRIFIED!!! Yes, I did like Dr. G and his staff very much. He was very easy to converse with and I liked the fact that he reviewed all my film and commented in front of me rather than off in a separate room like the other docs did. He did not see the need for fresh x-rays at this time. He measured my curve at 78 deg. Each time I see a different doc, it gets bigger...it's progressing even on film. I asked him if I don't have surgery, what I might expect ten years from now. He said that I probably won't be able to walk. When I told him about Dr. Hammerberg's comments to me and that I felt like he was attempting to dissuade me from sugery, he said he knows Dr. H very well and he is an excellent surgeon and feels he was playing devil's advocate. Dr. G wants to see me in a couple of months with a family member. Much to think about.

I too experienced the mysteriously enlarging curve with each successive doctor that I saw!! I did notice that 2 doctors measured the inside of it while Boachie measured the outside of it, which added ten degrees. It seems to me that curve measuring is an art and not a science...

I can fully relate to being terrified. It's good that you got a definitive opinion, though -- it gives you more to work with.